The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-05-06
a FEARFUL GAS EXPLOSION
In the Vancouver Coal Mines at
NanaIno, c. q.
One Hundred and Forty Miners I'M
prisoned
Ard All Will Probably nie From suffo.
cation.

NANAIMo, Is. C., May "a terrible ex
plosion Of gas took place Tuesday evening
in No. shaft of the Vancouver Coal Com
pany's mine in which there were upwards Of
$50 miners at the time. The first intimation
those on the surface had of the explosion
was terrific shock followed by an outburst
of thick, black smoke through the air shaft.
The first explosion was quickly followed
by second one, stronger than the first 1t
carried pieces Of wood, miners lamps, ETC..
hundreds Of feet into the air. In a few min
utes the flames began to come through the
air shaft with loud roaring noise. The
fan house soon caught fire and was quickly
consumed. In the mean time two white
men and four Chinese were brought up
through No. 1 on the hosting shaft.
Rescuing parties continued in attempt to
reach the entombed men, but were able to
rescue only 10 up to late hour. They were
overcome by after damp and had to be res
cued by others. OF the rescuers Samuel
Hudson succumbed to the effects of after
damp. Scenes around the shaft are most
heartrendering. The friends of those in
prison below are looking for the missing but
little hopes are entertained for their safety.
Afesculng party will again attempt TO 90 be-
low. At6o'Glock Wednesday evening, the
fire was still burning and twill be impossi-
BILE to attempt the rescue before Thursday
morning, if then. The probability is that
all the imprisoned miners, who number
about 100, will perish of suff0cation.
Over one-half of the injured and impris-
oned men leave wives and families. Six
white men and seven Cinnamon are given
out as killed. Those imprisoned, as near as
can be ascertained at present, number 50. 1t
is estimated that between 30 and rs China
men are in the mine.
Jules Mitchell, one Of the injured, stated
that he was sitting in his cabin at supper in
No. shaft He felt the conclusion and all
scrambled out. He became insensible. Only
one Of his four companions were saved. The
dead bodies of the others came up In the
cage with him. Several Of those rescued
hardly appreciate their miraculous escape,
owing to the dazed feeling which character
lied all who came out Of the deadly pit.
Mitchell was only $50 yards from the en-
trance when the explosion occurred. He
represents IL as something terrific. All be-
came darkness. John Lynch was badly in
1ured about the face and hands, and has his
hip fractured. Samuel Hudson's heroic
death Is unaccountable. He was miner of
great experience, while those who went
down with him to rescue their fellows were
comparatively inexperienced. He died from
the effects of after damp. His brave deed is
one of the bright things in the carnival OF
were endeavoring to extinguish the flames in
No. shaft and the fire there is believed now
to be under control. Fears are entertained
Of second explosion which might blow the
whole place up and old miners say that such
a result is possible. IL so the catastrophe
would be the greatest recorded in the history
of coal mining.
Allhope of rescuing anyone in the mines
has been long ago abandoned. All that men
can do is being done to reach them. 1t wa:
af fret nf a4tff fob 10 tha al
water SO as to attempt to put out the fire in
No 2 shaft by turning stream into it, but
the scheme was abandoned. 1t would only
flood the mine, rendering it practically use
less for year and would Danish any hope
there might be Of saving the lives Of the
men.
The mines extend out from the shore more
than mile beneath the waters of the har-
Dor. Mr.. Ryden and Mr.. Scott Of the Wei
llngton mines, went Down yesterday
afternoon, at the imminent risk of their
lives, to endeavor to make an investigation
as to the manner of procedure. Drs. Pra-
ger, O'Brien and Walker are in attendance,
giving all the assistance in their power. A
black pail hangs over the city. Business
houses are closed. c0llieries shut up and the
entire population is gathered at the scene Oi
the disaster.
The imprisoned miners are all old settlers
Swarms OF terrified Chinese are on the
grounds 1t was believed at late hour last
niEnt Lndt Lllo uIe IN the ar uTaIL ndQ Deen
extinguished and that only small body OF
flame existed between the air and main
shafts which would probably be conquered
Thursday. when an attempt will be made To
force air in, and the work of rescue begin
By tonight it is hoped that the men will be
reached: The main that came up last night
reported hearing evidence of a pick axe strik.
lnglon the opposite side OF the wall.
The fire in the mines has considerably
abated. A dense volume of steam arises
from the air shaft. Until the fire is com
pletely subdued it will be impossible to enter
the workings. Fresh relays Of working par
ties are being brought from Wellington
Ships in the harbor have supplied sixty men,
who are working nobly.